As someone who has been a dedicated Weight Watchers member for over 5 years, I have an inside look at what the program entails and what you can expect in terms of results. I‘ve experienced my own weight loss success with WW, but I know the program isn‘t necessarily right for everyone.
In this detailed review, I‘ll give you the scoop on Weight Watchers based on my experience, including:
- How Weight Watchers works
- Inspiring before and after photo examples from real members
- An overview of the different WW programs
- The tools and resources that set WW apart
- My best tips for seeing results on WW
- Factors to consider if debating whether WW is suitable for you
I‘ll also speak candidly about some of the shortcomings and criticisms of the program. As much as WW worked for me, I believe in providing a balanced perspective.
So if you‘re curious to learn more about what it‘s really like to do Weight Watchers straight from a long-time member, read on!
How Does Weight Watchers Work Exactly?
Before we get into the transformations, let me give you an overview of how Weight Watchers functions as a diet program…
The Points System
At its core, Weight Watchers revolves around a points system for tracking food intake. When you join WW, you take an assessment that provides you with a customized daily and weekly SmartPoints budget based on factors like your height, weight, age and gender.
Every food has a SmartPoints value attached to it. The plan encourages you to eat plenty of zero Point foods like fruits, veggies, eggs, skinless chicken breast, fish, beans, nonfat plain yogurt and whole grains. These are nutritious choices that promote weight loss.
You then supplement those zero Point foods with additional SmartPoints for things like healthy fats, lean proteins and whole grains, while limiting consumption of overly processed items, sugary drinks, saturated fats and refined carbs.
Support Resources
Beyond the points system, Weight Watchers also provides extensive support resources, education on nutrition and fitness, and tools for self-monitoring your eating habits and activity.
This includes access to the WW app with a barcode scanner to look up Point values, 24/7 chat support from coaches, thousands of recipes, restaurant dining databases, meal planning assistance, fitness tracking and daily check-ins.
There is also an online Connect community where members share their journeys and motivate one another. For some, attending in-person workshops with weigh-ins provides extra accountability.
So in a nutshell, Weight Watchers gives you the tracking tools and support network to develop healthier, sustainable eating habits leading to weight loss over time. Next, let‘s look at some real-world examples from WW members.
Weight Watchers Success Stories: Before & After Photos
The Weight Watchers phenomenon is perhaps best represented through the incredible before and after photos shared by real members who‘ve lost anywhere from 25 to over 200 pounds!
Let‘s take a look at some of the most jaw-dropping weight loss transformations from people who committed to Weight Watchers.
Stacy‘s 190 Pound Weight Loss Journey
47-year old Stacy joined WW in 2018 weighing 352 pounds. Through dedication to tracking her meals and activity, plus consistency attending WW workshops, Stacy lost an amazing 190 pounds over 18 months!
She says WW taught her how to balance her diet with nutritious foods she genuinely enjoys eating, and the support kept her motivated. This is a prime example of the lifelong habits WW instills.
Angela Dropped From Size 28 to 6 After Having a Baby
Like many moms, Angela struggled to lose the pregnancy weight after having her daughter. Her weight peaked at 295 pounds and she wore a size 28. Angela committed to Weight Watchers and over 2 years successfully dropped down to 168 pounds, now wearing a size 6!
She says the program gave her nutritional knowledge she previously lacked. Angela continues relying on those healthy habits with WW as a lifestyle.
And there are SO many more wonderful stories just like Stacy‘s and Angela‘s featuring staggering before and after differences.
In the spirit of brevity, here is a condensed snapshot of 12 additional jaw-dropping transformations from Weight Watchers members:
More Incredible Weight Watchers Before & After Success Photos
Briana: Lost 82 pounds
Jill: Lost 115 pounds
Holly: Lost 100 pounds
Tysha: Lost 125 pounds
Troy: Lost 140 pounds
Wendy: Lost 45 pounds
Mindy: Lost 60 pounds
Caleb: Lost 56 pounds
Katina: Lost 76 pounds
Sarah: Lost 124 pounds
Stephanie: Lost 155 pounds
Kamika: Lost 132 pounds
I don‘t know about you, but I find these Weight Watchers success stories so inspirational and motivating! It‘s proof that with commitment to developing healthier habits, substantial weight loss IS possible.
Now let‘s explore the various WW programs so you understand the differences when deciding which one might be right for you.
Overview of Weight Watchers Programs
While the foundation of SmartPoints tracking remains the same across all Weight Watchers plans, there are some key variations between the three main programs: Green, Blue and Purple.
Here‘s a helpful comparison guide:
The Green Plan
On Green, you get the fewest daily/weekly SmartPoints allowance, but can eat over 100 zero Points foods so you often finish the day with Points leftover. It offers maximum structure for learning the system.
The Blue Plan
Blue has more daily/weekly Points and fewer zero Points options than Green. The higher Points balance suits members who like tracking treats in moderation as a lifestyle.
The Purple Plan
Purple takes a different approach with the most daily/weekly Points allotted out of all three plans, but you have to use most of those Points because zero Points options are limited. So it gives you freedom to eat what you want within reason.
How to Choose the Best WW Plan
So which one do you choose? Here are my tips:
- Green – Great for total beginners to learn the SmartPoints system
- Blue – Ideal for those who enjoy tracking everything they eat with flexibility
- Purple – Perfect if you want maximum choice in what you eat and hate restrictions
You can also switch plans at any time as your needs change! And no matter which path you select, the tools and support I discussed earlier will still be there along the way.
Speaking of resources, let‘s explore some of my favorite features from Weight Watchers!
Standout Tools & Support That Make Weight Watchers Unique
Part of what has allowed me to stick with Weight Watchers successfully for over 5 years has been leveraging the robust tools and community support built into the program. Here are some of my favorites:
Connect App Support Community
A major perk of Weight Watchers is having access to the incredibly uplifting and motivating Connect community app. I honestly don‘t think I would have stayed consistent without it!
Being able to share my struggles and successes with fellow WW members who instantly "get it" is invaluable. And they offer each other brilliant advice borne from experience.
There are also fun features like recipe exchanges and fitness photo collections where you feel like part of this special community all chasing similar goals.
Extensive Food & Restaurant Database
Another thing that sets WW apart is its incredible food database inside the main WW app. You can easily look up Points values for hundreds of thousands of grocery items based on portion sizes. This makes tracking what you eat seamless and painless.
The restaurant database also provides Points for standard menu items everywhere from fast casual chains to five star venues. So you have the info to make smart dining choices anywhere life takes you.
It removes the excuse of not knowing nutrition data at-a-glance!
Customizable Meal Plans & Scheduling
What I appreciate about Weight Watchers is it doesn‘t prescribe strict meal plans everyone must conform to. Within your daily/weekly Points, you choose what to eat based on your preferences! BUT guidance is still there if you want it.
The WW app makes it possible to plan all your meals and snacks ahead of time. You can save favorite go-to breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts. It builds that customized structure for those who want it, and skips it for those who don‘t.
Bottom line – the tools make succeeding on WWsmooth rather than a headache. Which brings me to…
Tips for Losing Weight with Weight Watchers from an Insider
Having actively participated in Weight Watchers across 5+ years (and through two pregnancies!), I‘ve picked up some valuable tips for making the program work optimally if you invest in it.
Here are my top 5 professional pointers:
#1: Log Absolutely Everything You Consume
Even on days when you go way over your Points target, still log every single snack and meal. Holding yourself accountable is key, and you‘ll learn how to balance things out moving forward.
#2: Plan Your Meals In Advance
It‘s hard to just intuitively eat healthy well-balanced menus on the fly when first getting adjusted to tracking and staying within your Points. Take time once-weekly to map your breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.
#3: Stock Up On Zero Point Foods
Load your grocery cart with plenty of fruits, vegetables, skinless chicken breasts, fish fillets, beans and other 0 Point options so you always have healthy, satisfying foods to fill up on without blowing through your Points.
#4: Connect with Other WW Members!
Lean on other Weight Watchers doing the program too. I cannot underline enough how vital a community is for information, inspiration, recipe ideas and camaraderie through challenges. Make use of this built-in support network.
#5: Keep Trying Different Plans Until One Clicks
What works wonderful for your best friend might feel restrictive and unsustainable for you. Pay attention to which program aligns best with your dietary preferences and habits. Switch freely until you land on just the right fit!
Armed with those bits of hard-won advice, I believe most anyone willing to put in consistent effort over months and years can find success on Weight Watchers. But brace for a bumpy learning period!
Next let‘s tackle head-on some weaknesses of WW and whether or not it‘s advisable for your situation.
Potential Downsides of Weight Watchers & Who Should Be Cautious
Implementing a significant lifestyle shift to prioritize balanced nutrition and boundaries with food can prove EXTREMELY challenging at first when doing Weight Watchers. I distinctly recall wanting to throw in the towel many times those early few weeks.
Sticking to tracking meals, calculating sneaky Points here and there, resisting free office treats, learning how to cook nutritiously within your budget, the temptation to "cheat" just a little etc. It‘s EXHAUSTING mentally and physically at the start!
But for me and so many others, pushing through the initial growing pains led to incredible success down the line. I emphasize this because Weight Watchers requires tremendous GRIT that not everyone inherently possesses or can summon.
You may begin losing weight rapidly, hit alarming plateaus, yo-yo up and down the same 5 pounds for ages. Expect ugly speedbumps! It‘s like learning any complex skill. Time, dedication through mistakes and self-forgiveness are essential.
Additionally, the financial commitment bears mentioning at around $20 monthly. While affordable compared to extreme medical interventions, long-term WW adds up as just another streaming service bill.
And consulting your physician before embarking on any diet plan always makes good sense if you have underlying conditions affected by weight. As helpful as WW Coaches can be, nothing replaces professional medical opinions.
So in summary – a few categories of individuals who may want to think twice or tailor WW uniquely for their scenario:
- Anyone lacking the grit for serious lifestyle habit shifts
- Those unable to afford almost $240 annually
- People with special dietary limitations or restrictions
- Individuals leaning towards more extreme medical weight loss solutions
Outside those exceptions, WW can work brilliantly if you remain patient and persistent through days when you swear it makes zero difference!
The Bottom Line: Is Weight Watchers Worth It?
I won‘t sugarcoat the fact you‘re going to struggle fiercely some (or many) days if you commit to Weight Watchers as I did. Before those magical "after" photos glamorizing breathtaking weight loss, people slog through the mud of "before" photo reality daily.
But if you stick with the program – truly throwing your whole heart into the principles of balanced eating, tracking diligently even on naughty days, taking advantage of an incredibly supportive community who cheer you on – you may just have your own Cinderfella moment!
For me and so many other Weight Watchers success stories, the bloated before photo version of ourselves now seems like a distant nightmare we awoke from. And staying consistent with WW as our lifestyle treatment prevents backsliding.
So when I‘m asked if Weight Watchers is worth it and effective long-term for losing weight sustainably, my resounding answer is YES…but brace for impact heading into that battle! Persistence pays off enormously if you grit those teeth and trust the process.
I hope this inside look from a long-time Weight Watchers member helps you determine if our program could be the right fit and path for you too! Let me know if any other questions bubble up.
